Sonic surface cleaner



June 1964 F. A. WYCZALEK ETAL 3,139,101

SONIC SURFACE CLEANER Filed July 25, 1962 FLU/D 0000000 0OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW O O O 0 000000000000000 w 00 OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOQOOOO- United States Patent 3,139,101 SQNIC SURFACECLEANER Floyd A. Wyczaleir, Birmingham, and William L. Drayer,

Warren, Mich, assignors to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich acorporation of Delaware Filed July 23, 1962, Ser. No. 211,599 3 Claims.(Cl. 134-186) This invention concerns a surface cleaner and moreparticularly apparatus that utilizes vibratory energy for loosening andremoving dirt, grease, or any other foreign matter from a surface.

It is common knowledge that sonic vibrations created in a body of liquidare suitable for promoting the cleaning of articles without requiringany cleansing agents such as soap and detergent for emulsifying oils andholding dirt in suspension. Examples of such devices can be found in theprior art having a transducer or other sonic generator coupled to aliquid-containing tank for creating ultrasonic or sonic waves in theliquid medium during which time the article to be cleaned is suspendedor dipped into the liquid so that the vibratory energy can act directlyto remove any foreign matter imbedded in or adhering to the article.

In practice, it has been found that devices of the abovedescribed typeare frequently limited in use to small articles such as clothing,dishes, and the like which may be readily movable and accommodated bythe tank. Thus, the inside of an oven, a floor, a wall, and any otherarticle or surface which would be impossible or impractical to beimmersed within a vibrating bath due to its size or shape haveheretofore been denied a cleaning treatment in which vibratory energy isemployed.

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide acleaning device that can be manually manipulated and utilizes vibratoryenergy for cleaning a surface.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus thatincorporates a means for creating cavitations in a liquid mediumproximate a surface for removal for foreign matter adhering thereto.

The above and other objects are accomplished with a device having aplurality of elongated projections surrounded by a rim that engages asurface to be cleaned and spaces the end portions of the projectionstherefrom. The rim coacts with the surface to form a liquid confiningchamber to which vibratory energy is transmitted by a fluid orelectrically driven mechanical vibrator. The vibrator is coupled to thedevice to provide a rotating force vector in a direction transverse tothe longitudinal axis of the projections at a frequency equal to theresonant frequency of the latter so as to cause a standing wave gyratorymovement of the individual projections and create cavitating bubbles intheliquid for cleaning the surface.

A more complete understanding of the subject invention can be derivedfrom the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings inwhich:

FIGURE 1 is a view partly in schematic and taken on a vertical sectionof a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken on lines 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken on lines 3-3 of FIGURE 1;

3,139,101 Patented June 30, 1964 FIGURE 4 is an embodiment similar tothat of FIG- URE 1 with a modified air bearing type vibrator; and

FIGURE 5 is an embodiment of the subject invention incorporated with anelectric motor driven vibrator.

Referring now to FIGURES 1 through 3, a preferred embodiment of asurface cleaner constructed in accordance with the invention is showncomprising in general, a cylindrically shaped body portion 10 thathouses an air driven vibrator l2 and includes a handle 13 for manualmovement of the cleaner. The body portion 16 is connected by a conduit14 which includes a metering valve 16, to a source of liquid 18 whilethe vibrator is connected to a source of compressed air 28 by a conduit22. An annular rim 24 extends downwardly from the body portion 10 andterminates with a surface engaging portion 26 adapted to contact asurface 28 which is to be cleaned. The rim 24 together with the surface28 forms a liquid chamber 25, and additionally envelopes a plurality ofelongated members or projections 30 which can be formed integral withthe body portion 10, or be made separately and press fitted into theappropriate bores drilled within the body.

In the preferred form of the invention, both the body portion 10 andprojections 30 are made from steel, however, it should be understoodthat any other material can be used that permits the operation of thesubject invention as will hereinafter be described. Also, all of theprojections are formed as elongated circular rods or bars having equallengths and equal diameters and dimensioned so.

as to enable them to resonate together at a. predetermined frequency ofthe vibrator 12.

A bore 32 formed in the roof of the body portion 10 houses the vibrator12 and includes an enlarged diameter annular air passage 34 locatedintermediate the ends of the bore. A ring member 323 is press fittedinto the bore 32 and closed at the upper and lower ends by an apertureddisk 38 and a solid disk 49, respectively, so as to form a workingchamber 42 in which a cylindrical rotor or roller 44 is located. As bestseen in FIGURE 2, the ring member 36 includes a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced passages 45 that communicate with the annularpassage 34 and open into the chamber 42 for directing a stream of highvelocity air in a tangential direction against the peripheral surface ofthe roller 44. The pressurized air emanates from the source 20 and isdirected to the vibrator via the conduit 22 and passage 48 that connectswith the annular passage 34. In addition, a liquid supply port 50 isprovided in the rim 24 to direct liquid from the source 18 to the liquidchamber 25.

In operation, the pressurized air exiting from the several passages 46drives the roller 44 around the working chamber 42 so as to apply acentrifugal force against the ring member 36. The centrifugal force isapplied at different points 'as the roller orbits around the chamberand, in efiect, creates a rotating force vector that extends in adirection perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of each of theprojections 30. Because of this, and the fact that the vibrator operatesat the resonant frequency of the projections, the latter experience agyratory type standing wave motion with the end portions of theprojections simultaneously bending in the same direction and serving toagitate the liquid being supplied to the chamber 25 under the control ofthe metering valve 16. The liquid substantialy fills the chamber 25 withthe result that as the projections are driven in a resonant mode, the

liquid is vehemently agitated so as to create cavitating bubbles at thetip of each projection. Each of the cavitating bubbles contains a vacuumof such magnitude that when the bubble collapses upon a central nucleus,an enormous force is developed which acts on the surface 28 and accountsfor the dissemination and dislodging of any foreign particles adheringto the surface.

As is well known, cavitation is produced when vibratory energy issupplied to a liquid medium, and a liquid particle is moved away from anadjacent liquid particle so as to cause a vacuolar surface to existbetween the two adjacent particles. This eifect can be produced bymotion of particles in opposite directions or by motion of particles inthe same direction, so long as one particle has a greater velocity thanthe other.

As shown in the preferred embodiment of FIGURE 1, the surface to becleaned is flat, however, the configuration of the surface can bearcuate or any other shape, and in those instances the shape of the endportion of the projections can be made to conform to the shape of thesurface to maintain an equal distance from the projection tips to thesurface. Additionally, it should be noted that for most efficientresults the vibrator is operated at the resonant frequency of theprojections, however, it can be operated at any other frequency so longas sufiicient vibratory energy is transmitted into the liquid medium bythe projections for creating cavitation.

FIGURE 4 shows another form of the cleaner of FIG- URES 1-3 employing avibrator 12 that operates on the principle of an unbalanced air bearing.This type of vibrator is shown in a copending application identified asSerial No. 183,218, now Patent No. 3,108,749, Sulo Makela and William L.Drayer, assigned to the assignee of this invention, and reference ismade thereto for a complete understanding of the operation of thisvibrator. However, for present purposes it will suffice to say that thisvibrator includes a roller type mass 44' that is suspended by a shaft 45rigidly secured at one point to the vibrator housing 47'. The mass 44'is eccentrically disposed within a confining chamber 42' and is driventhereabout in an orbital path by pressurized fluid which flows through apassage 48' and impinges against the periphery of the mass in a manneras set forth in the above-described device. 1

When the vibrator 12' is energized the centrifugal force created by theorbiting mass is transmitted through the housing 47 to the body portion10' of the surface cleaner. Thus, as in the case of the cleanerdisclosed in FIGURE 1, when the frequency of the vibrator approaches theresonant frequency of the projections 30' each of the latter members isdriven in the form of a standing gyratory wave with the projection tipslocated at the antinode. As is well known, during standing wavevibration, the points of minimum and maximum movement are termed nodesand antinodes, respectively, and as the projection tips I move withmaximum deflection, cavitation develops in the liquid to dislodge anydirt, grease or other substance from the surface 28'. Of course, as inthe case of the cleaner shown in FIGURE 1, when the vibrator isoperating, liquid is supplied to the chamber 25' through the port 50 anda handle 13' is provided for manually moving the cleaner device alongthe surface 28'.

FIGURE shows a further modification of the cleaner of FIGURE 1 with theannular rim 52, in this instance, serving as a support for an electricmotor 54 and having a handle 56 secured to the upper portion of the rim.The electric motor 54 includes two spring members 58 that flexiblyconnect the projection body 60 to the electric motor. A circularconfining chamber 62 is formed in the top of the projection body 60 foraccommodating a roller type mass 64 which is connected to armature ofthe electric motor 54 by a shaft 66. A flexible connection (not shown)joins the shaft 66 to the motor armature to permit to orbit within theconfining chamber and create a rotating centrifugal force against thewalls of the chamber as in the abovedescribed devices.

The cleaning device shown in FIGURE 5 operates in a manner similar tothat of FIGURES 1 and 4; the vibrator operating at a frequency equal tothe resonant fre quency of the projections with the result that as thelatter are driven in a resonant mode, the liquid supplied to the chamber67 via passage 68 is vehemently agitated to create cavitating bubbles inthe liquid. As aforementioned with regard to the other embodiments ofthis invention, with the collapsing of the bubbles in an area proximatethe surface to be cleaned, a pressure wave is generated in the liquid ofa magnitude capable of dislodging any foreign sub-stances located on thesurface 70.

Finally, it should be noted that the diameter of the roller in eachembodiment of the invention is more than one-half the diameter of theconfining chamber with the result that a frequency step-up is produced.That is, a number of force impulses greater than one occurs for eachcomplete revolution of the roller about its axis. This feature is taughtby a patent to Svenson 2,194,410 and reference is made thereto for amore complete understanding of the frequency step-up obtained by thevibrators utilized with this invention.

Various changes and modifications can be made in the several embodimentsdisclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention. It shouldbe understood that such changes and modifications are contemplated bythe inventors and they do not intend to be limited except by the scopeof the appended claims.

In the claims:

1. A sonic apparatus for cleaning the surface of an article comprising abody portion having a plurality of elastic projections extendingtherefrom, said body portion including a surface engaging rimsurrounding said projections and adapted to coact with the surface toform a liquid chamber, said rim extending beyond the end portions ofsaid projections so that said end portions are spaced a predeterminedequal distance from the surface when said rim is in contact therewith, asource of liquid, means for feeding the liquid from the source to saidliquid chamber, a cylindrical confining chamber formed in said body,said confining chamber being so located that the diameter thereof issubstantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of saidprojections, a mass located in said confining chamber, said mass adaptedto be driven in an orbital path so as to generate a rotating forcevector substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of each of saidprojections, and means for driving said mass in said orbital path so asto gyrate the projections in a resonant mode to produce liquidcavitation in an area proximate the surface of the article.

2. A sonic apparatus for cleaning the surface of an article comprising abody portion having a plurality of elongated elastic circularprojections extending therefrom, said body portion including a surfaceengaging rim surrounding said projections and adapted to coact with thesurface to form a liquid chamber, said rim extending a distance beyondthe end portions of said projections whereby said end portions arelocated a predetermined equal distance from the surface when said rim isin contact therewith, a circular confining chamber formed in the bodyand having a roller type mass disposed therein, said confining chamberbeing so located that the diameter thereof is substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said projections, a source ofpressurized fluid, a plurality of passages circumferentially disposedabout the confining chamber and adapted to direct a stream of pressurized fluid emanating from said source tangentially against said massso as to drive said mass in an orbital path around the confiningchamber, a source of liquid, a liquid passage formed in said body andadapted to receive liquid from the liquid source and feed the liquid tothe liquid chamber, said mass adapted upon being driven by thepressurized fluid to create a rotating force References Cited in thefile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,627,263 Baily May 3, 1927 6Stevens May 21, Svenson Mar. 19, Reid July 4, Pendleton Oct. 17, HancockJuly 22, Lutnman et a1. Nov. 4, McAuley et a1 Apr. 21, Watson July 28,Bodine Nov. 15, Lcmelson Apr. 18, Nuissl Dec. 18,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No 3,, 139,101

June 3O, 1964 Floyd A, Wyczalek et ale Column 1, line 40, for "forf",second occurrence read of column 3, line 72, after "to" insert the line75 after "permit" insert the mass -c Signed and sealed this 10th..day ofNovember 1964 (SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W, SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Aitcsting Officer Commissioner ofPatents

1. A SONIC APPARATUS FOR CLEANING THE SURFACE OF AN ARTICLE COMPRISING A BODY PORTION HAVING A PLURALITY OF ELASTIC PROJECTIONS EXTENDING THEREFROM, SAID BODY PORTION INCLUDING A SURFACE ENGAGING RIM SURROUNDING SAID PROJECTIONS AND ADAPTED TO COACT WITH THE SURFACE TO FORM A LIQUID CHAMBER, SAID RIM EXTENDING BEYOND THE END PORTIONS OF SAID PROJECTIONS SO THAT SAID END PORTIONS ARE SPACED A PREDETERMINED EQUAL DISTANCE FROM THE SURFACE WHEN SAID RIM IS IN CONTACT THEREWITH, A SOURCE OF LIQUID, MEANS FOR FEEDING THE LIQUID FROM THE SOURCE TO SAID LIQUID CHAMBER, A CYLINDRICAL CONFINING CHAMBER FORMED IN SAID BODY, SAID CONFINING CHAMBER BEING SO LOCATED THAT THE DIAMETER THEREOF IS SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID PROJECTIONS, A MASS LOCATED IN SAID CONFINING CHAMBER, SAID MASS ADAPTED TO BE DRIVEN IN AN ORBITAL PATH SO AS TO GENERATE A ROTATING FORCE VECTOR SUBSTANTIALLY NORMAL TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF EACH OF SAID PROJECTIONS, AND MEANS FOR DRIVING SAID MASS IN SAID ORBITAL PATH SO AS TO GYRATE THE PROJECTIONS IN A RESONANT MODE TO PRODUCE LIQUID CAVITATION IN AN AREA PROXIMATE THE SURFACE OF THE ARTICLE. 